My 93yo MIL lives independently and until recently has been managing with twice weekly visits from us but suffers digestive problems, periodic constipation, UTIs bloating and gas. She doesn't eat much but we encourage Complan and Actimel, and bring whatever food she fancies when we go. She gets about the house with the help of trolleys and a stairlift.
She's gone through phases over the last few years of being better and worse, it's as though her body gets out of kilter somehow and it takes a while to settle again, but this time it's taking longer.
She's on low level antibiotics permanently to help prevent the UTIs and keeps breakthrough antibiotics on hand if it recurs.
About 3 weeks ago she showed symptoms of a recurrence so took her breakthrough supply, she then seesawed between constipation and bouts of diarrhoea. She's now having diarrhoea most days since and is experiencing periodic double incontinence. DH is staying to look after her but he's now struggling to get her to eat or drink anything. He's also discovered somewhat to his horror, that the liver cyst she was diagnosed with years ago is protruding, and is about the size of an apple. We don't know if it's increased in size or if it's more apparent because she's lost weight and he didn't want to ask her in case it triggered her anxiety.
The GP has taken a urine sample which will take a few days for results and has said if she's still having diarrhoea tomorrow he wants a stool sample, but we're worried we're not doing enough to help her.
Does anyone have any experience of similar, particularly the liver cyst. DH is very close to his mum so we want to do the best for her. Thanks.